USATH Announces First Annual Open Beach Handball Championship

USA Team Handball Committee has announced the first annual American Open Beach Handball Championship (AOBHC). The championship will take place April 24-27, 2014 in Gulf Shores, Ala.

"The AOBHC is a great start to a new legacy for beach handball in the U.S.," said tournament contact, Dede Piankova.

The mayor of Gulf shores will sponsor the medals and trophies for all three divisions: Men, Women and Youth. Additionally, the mayor is developing a special Gulf Shores Mayors Cup which he will personally present to the champions. After the event concludes, the Mayors Cup will be displayed on a pedestal in the City Hall with the names of the three winning teams.

The Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Sports Commission is providing monetary awards for the Women and Men divisions:

First Place: $1,000

Second Place: $500 Third Place: $250

During the AOBHC, the second International Handball Federation (IHF) Beach Handball Masters Course and Certification for Coaches, Referees and Delegates will be held. The cost for the course is $50. The IHF will be sending the following representatives for the course:

Luiz Filipe, Chairman of the Pan American Beach Handball Working Group

Burak Tazcan, Member of the IHF Beach Handball Working Group

AOBHC was made possible thanks to the tremendous support from Dr. Thomas Rosandich, the city officials in Gulf Shores, and the equipment grant from the International Handball Federation. Additionally, AOBHC has received a corporate sponsor for one hour of TV coverage for the final games which will be broadcast on CBS.

Registration fee for a team is $100. For more information and registration, please email Dede Piankova or call her at 707-295-7191.